The Cheetahs began their preparations for the Super 14 with a 48-0 romp against the Spears in Port Elizabeth.

The Free Staters led 33-0 at the break but with Rassie Erasmus giving his entire 26-man squad a run, the visitors could add only 15 points in the second half. Flyhalf Willem de Waal also had a poor day with the boot, succeeding with just 50% of his kicks at goal.

Around 20 000 fans dressed in red came to support the Spears, while the Daily Dispatch, the local newspaper, changed its famous blue masthead to red to honour the occasion. However, the Cheetahs were simply too good for a franchise still building towards its Super 14 debut in 2007.

The Cheetahs opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a try by wing Vuyani Dlomo, before flank Kabamba Floors grabbed a double. Further tries from De Waal and centre Barry Goodes, just before half-time, gave the Cheetahs a commanding 33-point lead at the interval.

Floors claimed his hat-trick 15 minutes into the second half after constant pressure from the Cheetahs, before lock Barend Pieterse rounded off an attack which was begun by centre Ronnie Cooke inside his own half.

With six minutes to go, winger Giscard Peters went over in the corner to make it 48-0.

The Spears dominated the final moments of the match after Cheetahs lock Ockert van Zyl was given a yellow card and substitute hooker Trevor Leota joined him in the sin bin just before full-time. But the home side were never really in it and have plenty to do before the Currie Cup kicks off in July.